Pharmacist Blog about what I encounter and find useful/interesting

One of the most easy exercises in chemistry is calculating concentrations of solutions. However, for a lot of starting students or people new in the field, it remains a hassle to carry out such exercise. Let's say we want to prepare a 0,250 M aqueous solution of calcium chloride (CaCl2). CaCl2 is a white powder at room temperature. It dissolves readily in water. The exercise is as follows: What mass of CaCl2 is required to prepare a 300,0 mL of a 0,250 M solution? (Molecular mass of CaCl2 = 110,98 g/mol) Approach this step by step. First, deduct what is expected. 1. We need to calculate the amount of mass needed. Mass is in gram (g). The solution has a concentration of 0,250 M. This means we want a concentration of 0,250 Molar or = mol/liter. 2. 0,250 mol/liter. But we do not want 1 liter, we want 300 milliliter, or 0,3 liter. Calculate the amount of mol we need: 0,250 mol/liter to 300 milliter, I calculate it as follows: 0,250 mol divide by 1000 (1 liter = 1000 mil...

In 2017 I spent 3 months in Slovenia for a thesis exchange. One of the most beautiful sites I visited is the Logar Valley, or as they call it in Slovenija: Logarska Dolina. One of the downsides is that it's hard to reach when you stay in Ljubljana. I suggest to rent a car or go there by bus and spend the night in the national park (which I hope to do someday). A typical scenery picture I took:

Do you ever need a medication when in a foreign country, but in this country the medication you need is not available under a certain name? It's useful to know the active compound of the medication! In this case, I will present to you a list of brand names which contain paracetamol (= acetaminophen) throughout the world. When you are in the local pharmacy, ask about the active compound ("paracetamol" or "acetaminophen") and they will know immediately what you mean! If you talk about a brand from your own country it can take a while until the pharmacist knows what you mean. Useful : in almost all countries, generic brands are available, usually under the name of the active compound, so just ask for "paracetamol" or "acetaminophen" if you would like the cheapest product. Paracetamol = Acetaminophen EUROPE Austria: Ben-u-ron, Mexalen Belgium: Algostase, Dafalgan Croatia: Daleron, Lekadol, Plicet Czech Republic/Czechia: Paralen ...

Spiriva Handihaler® consists of the anticholinergic drug tiotropiumbromide. This medicin is used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, most often abbreviated as COPD. Pharmacology : tiotropiumbromide is a long-acting anticholinergic drug. It blocks the muscarin receptor. This way, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine will not be able to bind on this receptor. The result is a relaxation of the bronchialic muscle tissue. Always use this medication as your doctor/pharmacist advises you. The most commonly used therapy is the inhalation of one capsule a day, on the same hour each day. How to use the Handihaler : Step 1 : It may sound logical, but open the cap and the mouth piece. Step 2 : Gently take a Spiriva capsule. Place it in the open space. Close it off with the mouth piece until you hear a soft click. Press the green button FULLY on the side only once. By pressing this button, the capsule will be "pierced", creating small openings in the cap...